Wildlife tracking data management: a new vision

To date, the processing of wildlife location data has relied on a diversity of software and file formats. Data management and the following spatial and statistical analyses were undertaken in multiple steps, involving many time-consuming importing/exporting phases. Recent technological advancements in tracking systems have made large, continuous, high-frequency datasets of wildlife behavioral data available, such as those derived from the global positioning system (GPS) and other animal-attached sensor devices. These data can be further complemented by a wide range of other information about the animals’ environment. Management of these large and diverse datasets for modelling animal behaviour and ecology can prove challenging, slowing down analysis and increasing the probability of mistakes in data handling. We address these issues by critically evaluating the requirements for good management of GPS data for wildlife biology. We highlight that dedicated data management tools and expertise are needed. We explore current research in wildlife data management. We suggest a general direction of development, based on a modular software architecture with a spatial database at its core, where interoperability, data model design and integration with remote-sensing data sources play an important role in successful GPS data handling.

Evaluating genetic traceability methods for captive-bred marine fish and their applications in fisheries management and wildlife forensics

Growing demands for marine fish products is leading to increased pressure on already depleted wild populations and a rise in aquaculture production. Consequently, more captive-bred fish are released into the wild through accidental escape or deliberate releases. The increased mixing of captive-bred and wild fish may affect the ecological and/or genetic integrity of wild fish populations. Unambiguous identification tools for captive-bred fish will be highly valuable to manage risks (fisheries management) and tracing of escapees and seafood products (wildlife forensics). Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from captive-bred and wild populations of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. and sole Solea solea L., we explored the efficiency of population and parentage assignment techniques for the identification and tracing of captive-bred fish. Simulated and empirical data were used to correct for stochastic genetic effects. Overall, parentage assignment performed well when a large effective population size characterized the broodstock and escapees originated from early generations of captive breeding. Consequently, parentage assignments are particularly useful from a fisheries management perspective to monitor the effects of deliberate releases of captive-bred fish on wild populations. Population assignment proved to be more efficient after several generations of captive breeding, which makes it a useful method in forensic applications for well-established aquaculture species. We suggest the implementation of a case-by-case strategy when choosing the best method.

Fetal brain function in response to maternal alcohol consumption: Early evidence of damage

Background: Studies of the adverse neurobehavioral effects of maternal alcohol consumption on the fetus have been largely confined to the postnatal period, after exposure to alcohol has finished. This study explored the brain function of the fetus, at the time of exposure to alcohol, to examine its effect on information processing and stability of performance. Methods: Five groups of fetuses, defined by maternal alcohol consumption patterns, were examined: control (no alcohol); moderate (5 to 10 units/wk either drunk evenly across the week or as a binge, in 2 to 3 days); heavy (20+ units/wk drunk evenly or as a binge). Fetal habituation performance was examined on 3 occasions, separated by 7 days, beginning at 35 weeks of gestation. The number of trials required to habituate on each test session and the difference in performance across test sessions were recorded. Results: Fetuses exposed to heavy binge drinking required significantly more trials to habituate and exhibited a greater variability in performance across all test sessions than the other groups. Maternal drinking, either heavily but evenly or moderately as a binge, resulted in poorer habituation, and moderate binge drinking resulted in greater variability compared with no, or even, drinking. Conclusions: Decreased information processing, reflected by poorer habituation, and increased variability in performance may reflect the initial manifestations of structural damage caused by alcohol to the brain. These results will lead to a greater understanding of the effects of alcohol on the fetus's brain, enable the antenatal identification of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and lead to the early implementation of better management strategies. © 2012 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.


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The place of sperm DNA fragmentation testing in current day fertility management

In this debate article, I am going to set out the case that sperm DNA fragmentation testing is essential in current day fertility management because-
• Our current semen analysis testing is unfit for purpose
• Sperm DNA damage testing has strong associations with every fertility check point
• Sperm DNA damage testing has strong associations with miscarriage
• Sperm DNA testing can explain ‘unexplained’ infertility
• There are reasons why sperm with poor DNA are successful in ICSI
• There are no non-invasive sperm function tests that provide the same information
• We need to take a fresh look at the ‘evidence’ against sperm DNA testing
• We have no reason to wait. There are benefits for clinics and couples alike.

The impact of sperm DNA damage in assisted conception and beyond: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment

Abstract Sperm DNA damage is a useful biomarker for male infertility diagnosis and prediction of assisted reproduction outcomes.
It is associated with reduced fertilization rates, embryo quality and pregnancy rates, and higher rates of spontaneous miscarriage
and childhood diseases. This review provides a synopsis of the most recent studies from each of the authors, all of whom have major
track records in the field of sperm DNA damage in the clinical setting. It explores current laboratory tests and the accumulating body
of knowledge concerning the relationship between sperm DNA damage and clinical outcomes. The paper proceeds to discuss the
strengths, weaknesses and clinical applicability of current sperm DNA tests. Next, the biological significance of DNA damage in
the male germ line is considered. Finally, as sperm DNA damage is often the result of oxidative stress in the male reproductive tract,
the potential contribution of antioxidant therapy in the clinical management of this condition is discussed. DNA damage in human spermatozoa is an important attribute of semen quality. It should be part of the clinical work up and properly controlled trials
addressing the effectiveness of antioxidant therapy should be undertaken as a matter of urgency.

Material Waste in the Northern Ireland Construction Industry: On-Site Management Causes and Methods of Prevention

The construction industry in Northern Ireland is one of the major contributors of construction waste to landfill each year. The aim of this research paper is to identify the core on-site management causes of material waste on construction sites in Northern Ireland and to illustrate various methods of prevention which can be adopted. The research begins with a detailed literature review and is complemented with the conduction of semi-structured interviews with 6 professionals who are experienced and active within the Northern Ireland construction industry. Following on from the literature review and interviews analysis, a questionnaire survey is developed to obtain further information in relation to the subject area. The questionnaire is based on the key findings of the previous stages to direct the research towards the most influential factors. The analysis of the survey responses reveals that the core causes of waste generation include a rushed program, poor handling and on-site damage of materials, while the principal methods of prevention emerge as the adequate storage, the reuse of material on-site and efficient material ordering. Furthermore, the role of the professional background in the shaping of perceptions relevant to waste management is also investigated and significant differences are identified. The findings of this research are beneficial for the industry as they enhance the understanding of construction waste generation causes and highlight the practices required to reduce waste on-site in the context of sustainable development.

The application of metabolomic biomarker screening tools for improved Bovine Respiratory Disease diagnosis and management

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is considered to be one of the most significant causes of economic loss in cattle worldwide. The disease has multifactorial aetiology, where viral induced respiratory damage can predispose animals to developing secondary bacterial infections. Accurate identification of viral infected animals prior to the onset of bacterial infection is necessary to reduce the overuse of antimicrobial treatments and minimize further economic losses from reduced production capacity and death. This research focuses on Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (BPIV-3), one of the viruses involved in generating BRD. Vaccination measures for BPIV-3 can induce a level of immunity preventing disease progression, however, not all animals respond equally and immunization can complicate disease diagnosis. Alternative diagnostic approaches are required to identify animals which fail to respond to vaccination during infection outbreaks and are therefore likely to be more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Mass spectrometry based metabolomics was employed to identify plasma markers capable of differentiating between vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves after challenge with BPIV-3. Differentiation of vaccinated and non-vaccinated study groups (n=6) was possible as early as day 2 post-BPIV-3 challenge up until day 20 using a panel of potential metabolite markers. This study illustrates the potential for metabolomics to provide more detailed information on animal vaccination status that could be used to develop tools for improved herd health management, reduce economic loss through rapid identification and isolation of animals without immune protection (improving herd level immunity) and help reduce the usage of antimicrobial therapeutic treatments in animals.

Contamination of Donana food-chains after the Aznalcollar mine disaster

On 25 April 1998 part of the tailings pond dike of the Aznalcollar Zn mine north of the Guadalquivir marshes (Donana) in southern Spain collapsed releasing an estimated 5 million m³ of acidic metal-rich waste. This event contaminated farmland and wetland up to >40 km downstream, including the 900-ha 'Entremuros', an important area for birds within the Donana world heritage site. In spite of the contamination, birds continued to feed in this area. Samples of two abundant macrophytes (Typha dominguensis and Scirpus maritimus) were taken from the Entremuros and nearby uncontaminated areas; these plants are important food items for several bird species. Analyses showed that in the Entremuros mean plant tissue concentrations of Cd were 3-40-fold (0.8-7.4 ppm) and Zn 20-100-fold (20-3384 ppm) greater than those from control areas. Comparable dietary concentrations of Zn have been reported to cause severe physiological damage to aquatic birds under experimental conditions. Elevated Cd concentrations are of concern as Cd bioconcentrates and is a cumulative poison. Metals released in this accident are moving into this food-chain and present a considerable risk to species feeding on Typha sp. and Scirpus sp. Many other food-webs exist in this area and require detailed examination to identify the species at risk, and to facilitate the management of these risks to minimise future impacts to the wildlife of Donana. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Targeting the complement system for the management of retinal inflammatory and degenerative diseases

The retina, an immune privileged tissue, has specialized immune defense mechanisms against noxious insults that may exist in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), uveoretinitis and glaucoma. The defense system consists of retinal innate immune cells (including microglia, perivascular macrophages, and a small population of dendritic cells) and the complement system. Under normal aging conditions, retinal innate immune cells and the complement system undergo a low-grade activation (parainflammation) which is important for retinal homeostasis. In disease states such as AMD and DR, the parainflammatory response is dysregulated and develops into detrimental chronic inflammation. Complement activation in the retina is an important part of chronic inflammation and may contribute to retinal pathology in these disease states. Here, we review the evidence that supports the role of uncontrolled or dysregulated complement activation in various retinal degenerative and angiogenic conditions. We also discuss current strategies that are used to develop complement-based therapies for retinal diseases such as AMD. The potential benefits of complement inhibition in DR, uveoretinitis and glaucoma are also discussed, as well as the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms of complement-mediated retinal damage in these disease states.